B.K. Borison has established herself as a master of cozy contemporary romance through her Lovelight series and Heartstrings series or First-Time Caller, but with Good Spirits, she ventures boldly into paranormal territory with stunning results. This inaugural book in the Ghosted series delivers a fresh take on the classic Christmas Carol narrative, transforming Dickens’ cautionary tale into an achingly romantic exploration of love, loss, and second chances.
The premise alone is irresistible: what happens when the Ghost of Christmas Past is assigned to haunt someone who isn’t actually a terrible person? Nolan Callahan, a century-old Irish ghost bound to his supernatural duties, expects another routine haunting when he encounters Harriet York. Instead, he finds himself face-to-face with a genuinely kind woman whose only crime seems to be being too much of a people-pleaser.
Character Development That Transcends the Paranormal
Harriet York: The Anti-Scrooge We Deserve
Harriet emerges as one of romance’s most relatable heroines. Borison crafts her as a woman caught between her authentic self and the smaller version others expect her to be. Her character arc from chronic people-pleaser to someone who finally claims her own space feels both organic and deeply satisfying. The author skillfully avoids the trap of making Harriet’s kindness a flaw to be corrected, instead showing how her genuine nature becomes her greatest strength.
The way Harriet responds to Nolan’s supernatural revelation perfectly captures her personality—practical yet open-minded, questioning yet accepting. Her demand to “speak to his supervisor” after learning she’s being haunted showcases Borison’s gift for infusing humor into even the most fantastical situations.
Nolan Callahan: A Ghost with Substance
Nolan defies typical paranormal love interest conventions. Rather than being mysteriously brooding for the sake of it, his melancholy stems from a century of losing pieces of his humanity with each haunting assignment. Borison writes his Irish accent authentically without overdoing the dialect, and his gradual rediscovery of hope through Harriet feels earned rather than instant.
The author’s decision to make Nolan’s ghostly existence feel like a job—complete with supernatural bureaucracy and a demanding supervisor named Isabella—adds delightful depth to the world-building while keeping the focus on character development.
Romance That Balances Heat with Heart
The romantic development between Harriet and Nolan simmers with perfect pacing. Borison doesn’t rush their connection, instead allowing it to build through shared experiences and genuine understanding. Their chemistry crackles from their first meeting, when Harriet’s matter-of-fact response to being haunted both frustrates and intrigues Nolan.
The author particularly excels in their intimate moments—from their first kiss surrounded by mistletoe that materializes from Nolan’s overwhelming emotions to their tender exchanges about hope and belonging. The physicality of their relationship feels authentic despite the supernatural barrier, with Borison finding creative ways to make their connection tangible.
World-Building That Serves Story
The Department of Hauntings and Spirits provides a bureaucratic backdrop that somehow makes the fantastical feel grounded. Isabella, Nolan’s supervisor, brings just enough mysterious authority to explain the rules without overwhelming the romantic plot. The concept of Christmas spirits as overworked supernatural civil servants adds humor while maintaining the story’s emotional weight.
Borison’s decision to set the story in Annapolis creates a charming small-town atmosphere that perfectly complements the holiday setting. Harriet’s antique shop, The Crow’s Nest, becomes almost a character itself, filled with meaningful objects that reflect both characters’ journeys.
Technical Craft and Writing Style
Borison’s prose flows with the warmth and accessibility that made her previous series beloved. She seamlessly weaves together contemporary romance conventions with paranormal elements, never allowing the magical aspects to overshadow the emotional core. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly in Harriet and Nolan’s verbal sparring.
The dual POV structure works effectively, allowing readers to experience both Harriet’s growing wonder and Nolan’s internal transformation. The author maintains distinct narrative voices that reflect each character’s background and personality.
Constructive Criticisms
While Good Spirits succeeds on multiple levels, some elements could have been strengthened. The resolution of Nolan’s century-long supernatural imprisonment feels somewhat convenient, though the emotional payoff remains satisfying. Additionally, certain secondary characters, particularly Harriet’s family members, could have benefited from more nuanced development beyond their functional roles.
The pacing occasionally slows during some of the memory sequences, though these moments serve important character development purposes. Some readers might wish for more exploration of the broader supernatural world, but Borison wisely keeps the focus intimate and character-driven.
Holiday Magic That Transcends the Season
What elevates Good Spirits beyond typical holiday romance is its exploration of themes that resonate year-round. The story examines how we lose ourselves in others’ expectations, the courage required to claim our authentic selves, and the transformative power of being truly seen by another person.
Borison doesn’t rely solely on Christmas magic to create wonder—she finds it in small moments between characters, in the gradual healing of old wounds, and in the radical act of choosing love despite uncertainty.
Comparisons and Context
Readers who enjoyed Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners or Tessa Bailey’s holiday romances will find much to love here. Good Spirits shares DNA with Alice Hoffman’s magical realism while maintaining the accessibility of mainstream contemporary romance. The book occupies a sweet spot between paranormal romance and women’s fiction that should appeal to readers across genre boundaries.
Final Verdict
Good Spirits announces B.K. Borison as a versatile author unafraid to experiment while maintaining the heart that made her previous works so beloved. This is a romance that earns its happy ending through genuine character growth and emotional honesty. The paranormal elements enhance rather than overshadow the love story, creating something both fantastical and deeply human.
While it may not revolutionize either the holiday romance or paranormal romance genres, Good Spirits executes both with such skill and warmth that it feels fresh nonetheless. Borison has created a perfect gateway book for readers hesitant about paranormal romance while offering enough depth to satisfy genre veterans.
Recommended Reading
For readers who fall under the spell of Good Spirits, consider these similar titles:
- The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska (folklore-inspired romance)
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (portal fantasy with romance)
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (immortal romance)
- Beach Read by Emily Henry (emotional contemporary romance)
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (cozy fantasy romance)
Good Spirits proves that Christmas magic doesn’t require snow or sleigh bells—sometimes it just needs two souls brave enough to believe in each other. Borison has crafted a love story that lingers like the faint scent of peppermint and the warm glow of holiday lights, long after the final page is turned.
